“That’s not really my job, that’s probably on coach to talk to him” Joel Embiid takes an obvious dig at teammate James Harden after Game 5
Follow Us
Joel Embiid, James Harden and Tyrese Maxey
After scoring just 88 points in game 5 of the series, the Philadelphia 76ers handed Toronto Raptors an outside chance to cause a huge upset. The series is now poised at 3-2, Joel Embiid expects the coaching staff to encourage James Harden to make more shots.
Philadelphia 76ers led the playoff series 3-0 against Toronto Raptors. But gutsy play by the “The North” on the offensive end, shut down Philly to only make things interesting in this series. Raptors not only saved their elimination face-off at Scotia bank Arena but snatched one back at Philadelphia too. Now that series entering in 6th game, fans and pundits are concerned over Philadelphia’s run ahead. Influential in 1st 3 wins, Joel Embiid was questioned about the upsetting turn of events. He commented on the offensive loophole in the 76ers team in the last 2 games.
James Harden, another superstar in Philadelphia is taking considerable amount shots than expected and Joel expects his coach to make Harden play more offensively. The perimeter shooting from the 76ers has gone cold and their points scored per game are drying game by game. Game 5 loss to shorthanded (without VanVleet) could be an alarming sign for Doc Rivers and the team.
Joel Embiid looking to bank on James Harden and Tyrese Maxey’s offense
The 28-year-old powerful center has been at his peak for some time and his explosive performances in 2022 gave him his 1st ever Scoring title. The hot streak continued in the postseason, as he posted 25 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 assists per game stats in the first 5 games of the 2022 playoffs. But the superstar, who is reportedly playing with a thumb injury was limited to just around 20 points in the last 2 games, giving Toronto team an advantage to sneak up some wins down the road.
Embiid was still 50% from the field and was heavily marked by the Raptors’ defense. With him getting double-teamed near the rim; Embiid expects other peripheral players to make some shots, which would release some offensive pressure. Ironically, 3-time scoring champion and elite shooter from the range, James Harden is taking lesser shots (average 14) per game and shooting just above 35%.
Philly’s young sensation Tyrese Maxey, who is 2nd top scorer in the postseason for the team, is averaging 21 points in 15 field goal attempts. Philadelphia has stacked up the offense in their ranks, with Tobias Harris and Danny Green capable of providing mid-long range shooting efficiency.
As per Joel Embiid, who expects more scoring production from 2018 MVP Harden, it is the coaches’ duty to instruct and encourage him for more shooting. He said, “We all need to be better offensively. We missed bunch of wide open shots, at times I felt like we just invited, when I was getting doubled, we were not aggressive attacking the ball.”
Time is given to the Raptors to recover defensively made shooting even harder and eventually hampered their points tally. Philadelphia scored whopping 131 points in the opening game against the Raptors, but since then the final count was deemed and in the latest game they struggled to cross 3 figure mark.
Also Read: “This is rigged” Goran Dragic wants to punch referee after no-foul-call on hideous play in Game 4
Stay Updated!
Kunal Chawda
(600 Articles Published)